Long story short: I'm going to run irons for the next year (at Appleseeds & KD's), and I think I need a different front sight post.
Long story long: Just sighted in this past Saturday (12/11/22) with a set of Leapers UTG low-profile fixed sights. Took my first crack at an AQT on Sunday (12/12) and scored a 195 on my first go. My performance declined starting on Stage 4, and it did not pick back up (particularly on Stage 4) on the two subsequent AQTs. Why? I lost confidence because the front sight post completely obscured the targets on Stage 4--when they went blurry, they disappeared almost entirely (I do wear glasses). By the final target, I was so distracted by not being confident of my hits that I failed to properly adjust my NPOA and paid the price. On the two subsequent AQTs, I was less interested in the first three stages than in trying to find a consistent frame of reference to use to get good hits. I was unable to. The Stage 4 targets disappear when I pull focus back to the front sight.
So: Does anyone have experience with the two front sight 'posts' attached here? They're what I plan on experimenting with.
I have had good luck with KNS Precisions's front sight posts. They make a few that are finer than a standard post.
https://www.knsprecisioninc.com/product/ar15-m16-ar10-sr25-square-post-sight-034/
I have the Blitzkrieg "Chevron" post ( the triangular post) on a set of DD fixed sights and really like it. The bright color and tritium dot really stand out.
My long story short... I use a smaller rear aperture (0.042") and a standard A2 square front post (0.072" wide).
Long story...
All of what I use is what older High Power Service Rifle shooters had to do to remain competitive before the optics rule change in 2016.
For the rear aperture... If the target is blurring out too much for you, then the typical fix is to reduce the rear aperture size, which increases the depth of field and sharpens up both the target and front post. Older eyes need this. The trade off is that this reduces light so there is a limit to how small you can go. I can see a sharp enough image with a 0.042" aperture and still have enough usable light until about dusk. I have tried smaller but it can get too dim for me in the shade.
For the front post... I have tried many different types... Narrower National Match posts , tapered posts, a KNS hooded crosshair post https://www.knsprecisioninc.com/product/ar15-m16-ar10-sr25-crosshair-hooded-standard/ , and an Ultradyne C2 front aperture post https://ultradyneusa.com/product/c2-front-sight/ .
All of that experimenting was interesting but the best option for me turned out to be what older competition shooters would do. If the eyes are struggling to maintain a sharp front sight, then use a wider post. More width on the post is easier to focus on and aids in vertical precision. It works. Ken Roxburgh goes a step farther and believes everyone should use a wide post... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gp69CCY71d4
That being said, I am not done experimenting with the crosshair and the aperture post.
Thanks all for your answers!
@jiminbolivar: I would like to think light definitely had an impact (on that 4th Stage). When I took my five 'sighter' shots a bit earlier, it was about as bright as it had been all day. And that group was pretty decent (attached). It was definitely a bit darker by the time we got to Stage 4. I'm pretty sure the aperture is mil-spec, and I was using the small one. I'll find out it's exact size. Going WIDER seems like just the kind of thing you learn from an Appleseeder! I'll look into that too.
Cheers!
Actually your stage 4 looks great for a first time using irons.You may do just fine with a mil spec peep.
I would guess your small peep is about 0.070" to 0.075". That is what most of them are and that is significantly larger than what I use. You can buy smaller match grade ones but trying different sizes gets expensive at $35 each. You can modify a mil spec one by filling the peep with JB weld and redrilling with a pin vise set.
What I currently use is a modified mil spec M1 / M14 rear sight. I drilled the peep out to 1/8" and use the Tech Sight 0.042" insert. https://www.tech-sights.com/aperture-inserts/
Another option that worked well for me was using a Merit Corporation Variable Iris adapter that was offered at the time as an option with the Skinner sight for my Ruger American Rimfire. This adapter offers an infinite adjustment for the rear peep sight that ranges from about 0.022 to 1.25" depending on the model. It allowed me to finally shoot a Rifleman score with these 70 yo plus eyes, with a bolt action. It should be able to be mounted on most peep sights and AR specific models are available. Big advantage is the continuous adjustment with a single part. This allows one to adjust for the amount of light
available with 10 or 11 click stops. Just another option.
Update: Took the time to read up on my irons and found out there was more to zeroing them than I thought. Duh. Got out on a beautiful day today and re-zeroed with the drum in the proper starting position (3/6). 5 shot groups at 25 meters (actual); walked them up onto the lower 1" paster, confirmed on the top 1" paster, then adjusted for windage and put my last shots of the day into a 2" circle--managed three bullets in one hole. ^-^
I'm pretty sure I'll be just fine with the stock front sight post. I just needed (need) a better understanding of the system, more time behind them, more confidence...and more light! It was sunny and cloudless today, and I think that makes a big difference for my eyes. Looking forward to my next opportunity to qualify...with irons!
Second-last-update, I promise! ;)
Working on my IIT3 last Saturday (2/18), in Hubertus, WI, I got a chance to come to the line for an AQT. Long story short: beautiful, bright, sunny day, with glistening snow on the ground + more practice with irons = I qualified! Bonus: 230 appears to be within reach! My 'last' update will be when I make Distinguished with irons.
Congrats Red Wing!!! I am always glad to see someone else sticking with the irons and shooting as well as the scope users.